AN: Well, here it is. The sequel to Taking Chances. I hope you enjoy this insallment as much as the first one! I like the twists and turns in this story so please, enjoy, review and comment. I take constructive criticism very well and I love hearing it. Shout out to Just A Bipolar Bear for being so helpful with my last story! I hope you keep sharing thoughts on this story!

Summer represents freedom and adventure. And unexpected, but pleasant, surprises.

"I really feel like quoting Lion King right now."

I turn and look at Tim. We're on the roof of Wayne Manor staring up at the stars. Tim's been my best friend since both Jason and Kim went away, for different reasons of course. Kim's parents moved away from Gotham, taking her with them. Jason left on his own.

School ended last week and I'm already bored of summer. Schoolwork kept me busy along with graduation, but now I just sit around and wait for college.

"You start quoting Disney movies and I will punch your lights out," I warn him. I love Disney movies, but one in my position can only take so much of their sappy love stories.

"Whatever," Tim laughs. Changing the subject, he asks, "Anymore letters lately?"

I shake my head, "Not for about three weeks. They're always short and vague anyway." I deepen my voice, mocking Jason's letters, "Ronnie, I'm safe. Only scratch from Roy playing around with his crossbow. Hope you're safe. J." I scoff out of frustration. "I could be dead for all he knows. There's no return address, so it's not like I can say, 'Hey, yeah, I'm safe. Will you come home soon?'"

"Give it time."

I sigh, "It's been three months, Tim. Three months of not knowing what he's doing, if he's really safe. It's frustrating."

"I know, but–"

"I'm an angel with a shotgun, fighting til the war's won."

Tim snorts, "You still have that as your ringtone?"

"Never changing it," I give Tim a have smile. I answer my phone, "Hello?"

"Hello, Ronnie, this is Debbie with Dr. Neeson's office and I'm calling to inform you that you are due for a tetanus shot update."

Weird. "Really? Okay, um I guess I can go ahead make an appointment–"

"Your mother already made the appointment for four o'clock tomorrow. We'll see you then."Click.

I look at my phone and blink. "Well, that was forceful."

"What's up?" Tim asks, propping himself up his elbows.

"I have an appointment for a shot update."

Tim raises an eyebrow. "They just made you take that appointment?"

I nod, "Pretty much."

"That has to be illegal."

"Whatever," I shrug, "better than getting sick and ending up in the hospital. Again."

"Hey, at least you were in a coma for most of your time there." Tim, always the optimist.

"Yeah," I yawn. "I need to get home."

"Okay," Tim gets up and makes his way through the window, but then turns around and looks at me. "Any luck with your brother?"

I shake my head heavily. "He still only talks to Mom. And only on the phone. He never stops by."

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault." I've been saying that a lot lately. Especially to my mom, when I see her. She thought Carson and I would make up after a week. But here we are three months later.

Whatever. Carson's a stubborn ass.

*()*()*()*()*

With nothing else to do and Mom taking extra shifts at the hospital, I pretty much watch TV until it's time for me to get ready and go to that stupid appointment.

After paying the cabbie, I walk into the doctor's office at 3:55. I've sat down for five minutes when I'm ushered into an examination room. It's strange because usually I'm sitting there forever and then they have to weigh me, take my temperature and all those other things that I dread. I'm not complaining, it's just… weird.

Almost as soon as I've planted my butt on the examination table, a blonde woman in a lab coat come in holding a tray with two syringes resting on it.

"Hello, Ronnie," the woman says, smiling.

"Um, hi." She must be new. I definitely don't recognize her.

"This will be really quick. It's a new vaccine so it takes two shots. One in the arm and one in the stomach."

"Oh, goody," I mumble. It's not that I'm scared of needles, I'm not. That doesn't mean I have to enjoy being stuck with them.

The overly-joyful nurse sterilizes a spot on my upper right arm and then stabs the needle in. I flinch at first impact, but then relax quickly. She has me lie down and pull my shirt up to expose my stomach. Again, she sterilizes a spot and sticks the other needle in. This needle is slightly thicker than the first one and its cartridge is covered. Alright, strange.

"Okay, you are all done," the nurse says as I sit up.

On my way out of the office, my cell rings. "Hello?"

"Hey Ronnie, its Tim."

I smile, "Hey Tim. What's up?"

"Bruce has a benefit tomorrow night and I really need some company beyond rich old people."

I flinch. Parties aren't really my thing. "What about Dick?"

"He has a date and there'll be no getting his attention. So…"

"I don't know, Tim. I don't really have anything to wear."

"All taken care of. What do you say?"

I don't normally like fancy parties. Dresses are hard to move in. But Tim sounds desperate and I am his friend. And I can probably drop the Wendy-waiting-for-Peter routine for one night.

"Okay," I sigh, "I'll do it."